IAM’s FREE COLLEGE BENEFIT

With the IAMAW Free College Benefit, you and your family members can earn an associate degree online from a public, accredited community college – with no out-of-pocket costs to you. This can save you thousands of dollars.

IAM’s new Free College Benefit affirms our commitment to support and build relationships by helping IAM Members and their families continue their education, without worrying about the cost. You, your spouse, children, financial dependents, grandchildren, siblings and in-laws can all take advantage of this exciting opportunity.

What exactly is the free college benefit?

The Free College Benefit is an investment in you and your future. With the Free College Benefit IAM union members and their families do not have to pay out of pocket for any tuition, fees or e-books at Eastern Gateway Community College—resulting in cost savings of thousands of dollars!

The benefit works as a “last-dollar scholarship”, or grant, through Eastern Gateway Community College, that is intended to fill the gap between any federal, state or employer education grants you receive and the cost of tuition, fees and e-books for certain online degree programs at Eastern Gateway Community College. It does require an investment of your time and attention!

Eastern Gateway Community College is a public, non-profit school in the University System of Ohio and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Credits you earn can transfer to other schools, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.

Who can receive this free college benefit?

The Free College Benefit is open to members in good standing, who are full dues-paying members, retired members and their families. Family is defined as spouses, children, stepchildren, children-in-law, dependents and grandchildren. Potential students’ membership will be verified by Local Lodge 463 and the IAM Grand Lodge.

Is this for real?

It is for real and over 6,000 students nationwide have already enrolled at EGCC through this program.

Eligibility requires that potential students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as well as apply for and use any employer or military tuition reimbursement or assistance for which they have eligibility. Once the FAFSA is completed, the college may require that additional documentation be submitted, for a process called verification that is required by the US Department of Education. All members must comply with the document requests by EGCC in order to complete the financial aid process to determine eligibility for federal aid.

The Free College benefit will cover the rest of the cost of tuition, fees, and e-books for EGCC’s online programs.